We are Hopewell Counseling and one of the key words in our name is Hope. We provide hope-filled counseling to many who have lost hope that things will change in their lives. What do we mean by hope and why is it so essential for Christians? Hope is defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as “to desire with expectation of obtainment” and “to expect with confidence.”  Hope is having the assurance that, even though you cannot see or experience something, you have confidence that it will happen. An example might be, “I hope I passed my finals.” Hope looks to the future and believes that the promises made will be kept. Hope is the “kissing cousin” of faith (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Christians are people of hope. We hope for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible calls this the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13). If you can see something, you don’t hope for it, but if you have assurance of something not seen, that is hope says Hebrews 11:1. Hope assures the Christian of life after death in heaven with Jesus (Titus 1:2). We have the hope of salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

The hope of a better future keeps us going when things seem overwhelming. The hope of change for the better motivates couples to fight for their marriage. Without hope we quit. Without hope we quickly sink into despair and depression.

Like faith, hope must be properly placed. If our hope is in the political system or in ourselves or in the stock market or in our job or in our spouse, it is misplaced hope. Our hope must be in the Lord Jesus Christ. He will never leave us or forsake us. He will never fail us. He will follow through to fulfill all His promises. He alone has the power to produce permanent change in the lives of His own. He is worthy of our hope. No one and nothing else is more worthy.

Hopewell Counseling hopes in Christ,

Irv